Retired Maj. Gen. Robert Scales has written an excellent analysis of the issues in “Infantry and national priorities” [December]. But he may have missed certain aspects of two points: technology and training. Concerning technology, the U.S. military has violated the “too rule” — there is just too much technology, to the point that our fighting men and women perceive they cannot function effectively without it. That means that technology should be “selective” in what it offers, and at what price (size, weight, reliability and durability).

http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2008/03/3409961

A piece of equipment that is in working order 99% of the time, can be used by 99% of the people and is 60% effective (when it works) has a "real effectiveness" of 58.8%.

A piece of equipment that is in working order 90% of the time, can be used by 90% of the people, and is 70% effective (when it works) has a "real effectiveness" of 56.7%.

A piece of equipment that is in working order 80% of the time, can be used by 80% of the people, and is 80% effective (when it works) has a "real effectiveness" of 51.2%.

A piece of equipment that is in working order 70% of the time, can be used by 70% of the people, and is 90% effective (when it works) has a "real effectiveness" of 44.1%.

A piece of equipment that is in working order 60% of the time, can be used by 60% of the people, and is 100% effective (when it works) has a "real effectiveness" of 36.0%.

A piece of equipment that is in working order 99% of the time, can be used by 99% of the people and is 60% effective (when it works) is, in fact (when "real effectiveness" is the criterion) 1.633 times a effective as a piece of equipment that is in working order 60% of the time, can be used by 60% of the people, and is 100% effective (when it works).

The first piece of equipment also probably costs 1/4 what the second one does so that would mean that on a cost effective basis, the first one has a "total cost real effectiveness" rating of 97.44% while the second still has a "total cost real effectiveness" rating of 36.0% thereby making the "poorer quality" piece of equipment 2.71 times as good an equipment choice as the "Gee Whiz Wow" second piece of equipment.

On the other hand, you don't really get very many good photo-ops out of the first piece of equipment.